The Offensive Line Ought To Be Ready For Huge Turnaround
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - There weren't many teams around the country that were as bad along the offensive line as Arkansas last year. The Hogs could hardly generate a push, protect its quarterback or even open up a hole wide enough for a running back to slide through.
Arkansas snagged a few key pieces out of the transfer portal in Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State), Fernando Carmona (San Jose State) and Addison Nichols (Tennessee). Movement in the portal is possibly long from over with SMU center Branson Hickman thinking about a visit to Fayetteville in the future as an April transfer.
The 6-4, 297 pound center is a graduate transfer is the No. 16 transfer currently in the portal, per On3. He is also the top player on the offensive line following a season in which he played and started in all 14 contests, earning second-team All-AAC honors.
Only two linemen from last season have left the Razorbacks for the transfer portal. Joey Su'a (Arizona State) and Devon Manuel (Florida) found new homes, but with such low retention so far, spring ball could bring more shake-up to the room as the depth chart starts to become clearer.
Last season was the worst for the Razorbacks with renowned offensive line coach Sam Pittman running the team. It was always thought that as long as he is the coach Arkansas wouldn't be capable of a season like last year where the Hogs gave up 47 sacks through 12 games, nearly four per contest.
Quarterback KJ Jefferson's willingness to hold onto the ball was a key factor in the spike in sacks last season. However, there were multiple games where the offensive line threw a lookout block at the last second.
If you don't know what a lookout block is it means, 'Hey QB! I missed my block. Lookout!'
2024 OFFENSIVE LINE SCHOLARSHIP CHART
Keyshawn Blackstock, Senior
Joshua Braun, RS Senior
Tykieast Crawford, RS Senior
Amaury Wiggins, RS Junior
Fernando Carmona, RS Junior
Patrick Kutas, Junior
E'Marion Harris, RS Sophomore
Addison Nichols, RS Sophomore
Andrew Chamblee, RS Sophomore
Luke Brown, RS Freshman
Paris Patterson, RS Freshman
Zuri Madison, Freshman
Kobi Branham, Freshman
HOGS FEED:
HAVING A LOT OF RECEIVERS COMING BACK FROM LAST YEAR'S TEAM NOT GOOD NEWS FOR RAZORBACKS
STATS SINCE TREVON BRAZILE WENT DOWN WITH AN INJURY MAKE CLEAR CASE FOR RECENT IMPROVEMENT
MUSSELMAN MUST GUIDE ARKANSAS THROUGH ITS OWN NCAA TOURNAMENT NOW
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